Soiled diaper detection system

ABSTRACT

A soiled diaper detection system having a soiled diaper detection device, one or more computer devices in communication with the diaper detection device configured to generate and process requests to the diaper detection device, and store data received from the soiled diaper detection device.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

This application relates to diapers, more specifically a soiled diaperdetection system.

BACKGROUND

There are more than 3 million cases of diaper rash (diaper dermatitis)in the US every year. One of the main causes of diaper rash is prolongedexposure to urine or stool which can irritate the diaper wearer'ssensitive skin. Moreover, being in soiled diapers for an extended periodof time may cause urinary infections, bed sores (decubitussores/decubitus ulcers). To mitigate diaper rash, urinary infections andbed sores in babies, adults, pets it may be desirable to try to ensurethat the diaper wearers are not in soiled diapers for too long.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure may provide a soiled diaper detection systemcomprising of a soiled diaper detection device (also referred to as the‘detection device’), a computer device to manage the detection device, acomputer device to process the data and a data storage system to storethe data. The detection device may comprise one or more sensors such asgas sensors, humidity sensors, temperature sensors, wetness sensors,load or weight sensors, force sensors, along with one or more of astick-on layer, a stick-on strap, and a clip-on mechanism that may beconfigured to removably attach the detection device easily to and from adiaper. In some example implementations, the stick-on layer, stick-onstrap, or clip-on mechanism may be reusable and replaceable. Thedetection device may be configured to send a signal (e.g., a wirelesssignal) to a computer device, based on a change or rate of change insensor readings (e.g., a change in humidity sensor readings, gas sensorreadings, temperature sensor readings, wetness sensor readings, load orweight sensor readings, force sensor readings) that is greater than orequal to a configurable threshold value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the soiled diaperdetection system and together with the description, serve to explain theaspects of this system.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system network diagram with a soiled diaperdetection device that may be configured wirelessly by a mobile device ora computer device, which may use optional auxiliary computer systems forprocessing and storing data according to example implementations of thepresent application.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the detection device that may have anon/off switch.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the detection device that may have areusable and/or replaceable stick-on layer that may enable the detectiondevice to be removably attached to a diaper.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the detection device that may havereusable and/or replaceable stick-on straps that may enable thedetection device to be removably attached to a diaper.

FIG. 5 illustrates a back view of the detection device that may have areusable and/or replaceable stick-on layer along with one or more ventsor holes that may enable the detection device to measure parametersusing one or more sensors such as a humidity sensor, gas sensor,temperature sensor, wetness sensor, load or weight sensor, and forcesensor. The reusable and replaceable stick-on layer may enable thedetection device to be removably attached to the diaper.

FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of the detection device that may have areusable and/or replaceable stick-on layer such as a hook and loopfastener (e.g., Velcro) such that the stick-on layer extends from one ormore sides such as two sides or four sides, along with one or more ventsor holes that may enable the detection device to measure parametersusing one or more sensors such as a gas sensor, humidity sensor,temperature sensor, wetness sensor, load or weight sensor, and forcesensor. The reusable and replaceable stick-on layer may enable thedetection device to be removably attached to the diaper.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view of the detection device that mayhave one or more sensors such as a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, atemperature sensor, a wetness sensor, a load or weight sensor, and aforce sensor.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section view of the detection device that mayhave two or more sensors such as gas sensors, humidity sensors,temperature sensors, wetness sensors, load or weight sensors, and forcesensors that are separated by a layer such as a wireless signal blockinglayer and/or a printed circuit board layer.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the detection device that has beenstuck on to or strapped on to the outside of the diaper.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the detection device that has beenstuck on to or strapped on to the outside of the diaper along the frontand back of the diaper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In order to reduce the time a diaper wearer sits in a soiled diaper,some example implementations of the present application may include asensor that is configured to detect when a diaper has become soiled andto generate a notification, such as a notification to a caregiver, thata change of the diaper may be required.

Example implementations of the present application may relate topotential mechanisms to reduce diaper rash, urinary infections, bedsores using Internet of Things (IoT) devices that may work with varioustypes of diapers with varying quantities of urine and stool.

FIG. 1 depicts a system network diagram with a diaper detection device101 that may be configured wirelessly by a computer device 103 (referredto herein as ‘the client’). A computer device 103 may be a mobile devicesuch as a smartphone, tablet, watch, smart speaker, smart device orother computer device such as a laptop, desktop, server, thin-client,etc. running an application, such as a web application. Information suchas configuration information, application information, user information,system information and any other information may be retrieved from orstored into a database 106 or a storage system such as a file storagesystem (collectively referred to herein as ‘the data store’) via acomputer device such as a server or server less framework 105. Thedetection device 101 may send data via wireless signals over a network104 to the client 103 and/or to another optional computer device 102such as a computer or a hub which may then be transferred and stored inthe data store. The client 103 and/or a computer or a hub 102 may send awireless signal to the computer device such as a processing and storagesystem 107 that then retrieves the information from the data store 106.Some information may also be stored or cached on the client 103. Someembodiments use a hub between the detection device 101 and the client103, while other embodiments do not use a hub and instead perform directcommunication between the detection device 101 and the client 103 and/orthe detection device 101 and a computer device such as a processing andstorage system 107. In the embodiments that use a hub, the hub may senda wireless signal to and/or perform direct communication between the huband a computer device such as a processing and storage system 107. Thedetection device 101 may connect to the client 103 or another computer102 via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth low energy, Bluetooth, ZigBee, cellular datanetwork or any other wireless communication method. The data from thedetection device 101 and/or data provided by the user may be used by alearning-based system to adapt the device 101 to the diaper wearer andto the type of diaper.

The learning-based system may be hosted on the detection device, theclient, or another computer or hub. The learning-based system mayproduce different outputs regarding whether a diaper change is requireddepending on the identity of the diaper wearer and the type of diaper.The learning-based system may be a machine learning based system usinglearning that is trained using input data such as (a) sensor data fromone or more sensors such as a gas sensor, a humidity sensor, atemperature sensor, a wetness sensor, a load or weight sensor, and aforce sensor and/or (b) the identity of the diaper wearer and/or (c)urination and defecation patterns of the diaper wearer and/or (d) thetype of diaper. The learning-based system may increase accuracy ofdetection for particular diaper wearers and/or types of diapers.

In an alternate embodiment, the detection device may be connected toanother computer device via the Internet, cellular network, GPS or anyother wireless or satellite technology.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the detection device 201 may have anon/off switch 202 that may be used to turn on or off or sleep the soileddiaper detection. When the detection device 201 is on, the detectiondevice 201 may monitor the diaper for changes of state (e.g., notsoiled→soiled) and when the detection device is off, the detectiondevice 201 may not monitor the diaper for changes of state.

In an alternate embodiment, the detection device may be turned on or offfrom a computer device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the detection device 201 that may havea reusable and/or replaceable stick-on layer 302 that may enable thedetection device 201 to be removably attached to a diaper. In someexample implementations, the stick-on layer 302 may be reused severaltimes over an extended period of time such as one or more years. In someexample implementations, the stick-on layer 302 may be removed andreplaced with a new stick-on layer. In such implementations, thestick-on layer 302 may be removably attached to the diaper. Thedetection device may also have one or more vents or holes 303.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the detection device 201 that mayhave reusable and/or replaceable stick-on straps 403 that may enable thedetection device to be removably attached to a diaper. The straps 403may comprise of stick-on material that sticks onto the diaper. Using twostraps (e.g., a left strap and right strap) may ensure that thedetection device securely sticks on to the diaper. The straps 403 may bereused several times over an extended period of time such as one or moreyears. In some example implementations, the stick-on material on thestraps may be removed and/or replaced. In such implementations, thestick-on material may be removably attached to the straps. In otherexample implementations, the straps 403 may be removed and replaced. Insuch implementations, the straps 403 may be removably attached to thediaper. In other example implementations, there may be one reusableand/or replaceable stick-on strap or more than two reusable and/orreplaceable stick-on straps, such as four straps.

FIG. 5 illustrates a back view of the detection device 201 that may havea reusable and/or replaceable stick-on layer 502 along with one or morevents or holes 503 that may enable the detection device to measureparameters using one or more sensors such as a humidity sensor, gassensor, temperature sensor, wetness sensor, load or weight sensor, andforce sensor. The reusable and replaceable stick-on layer 502 may enablethe detection device to be removably attached to the diaper.

In an alternate embodiment, the sensors and other components may befabricated on a stick-on layer or an adhesive material that may enablethe detection device to be removably attached to the diaper.

FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of the detection device that may have areusable and/or replaceable stick-on layer 602 that may have an stick-onlayer extension 604 on one or more sides such as four sides along withone or more vents or holes 603 that may enable the detection device tomeasure parameters using one or more sensors such as a humidity sensor,gas sensor, temperature sensor, wetness sensor, load or weight sensor,and force sensor. The reusable and replaceable stick-on layer 602 and/orthe stick-on layer extension 604 may enable the detection device to beremovably attached to the diaper.

FIG. 7 Illustrates a cross-section view of the detection device 201 thatmay have one or more sensors such as a gas sensor 702, a humidity sensor703, a temperature sensor, a wetness sensor, a load or weight sensor,and a force sensor. The detection device 201 can be configured to send awireless signal to a computer device when the concentration of one ormore gases increases or when the rate of change of the concentration ofgas increases by a configurable threshold amount or a configurablethreshold percentage, such as a 5%, 10%, 1-5%, 2-5%, 5-10%, 10-20%, or20-50% increase, in a very short amount of time, such as in 5, 10, 15,30, 45, 60, 5-10, 15-30, or 30-60 seconds, and/or when the humidityincreases by a configurable threshold amount or a configurable thresholdpercentage, such as a 5%, 10%, 1-5%, 2-5%, 5-10%, 10-20%, or 20-30%increase or when the rate of change of humidity increases above aconfigurable value in a very short amount of time, such as in 5, 10, 15,30, 45, 60, 5-10, 15-30, or 30-60 seconds. Alternatively, in someexample implementations, the detection device 201 may be configured tosend a signal when the load or weight of the diaper increases by aconfigurable threshold amount, such as 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5ounces amount, or a configurable threshold percentage, such as 5%, 10%,15%, 25%, 5-15%, 15-25%, 25-100%, or 100-400% in a very short amount oftime, such as in 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 5-10, 15-30, or 30-60 seconds.The configurable threshold percentage may be a percentage of the defaultload or weight of the diaper.

In some embodiments, the gas sensor of the detection device 201 is in anoff or low power mode until the humidity sensor is triggered, such as byhumidity exceeding a threshold or rate of change of humidity exceeding athreshold in a short period of time. When the humidity sensor istriggered, then the detection device may then turn on one or more gassensors on the device from the off or low power mode. This feature maybe useful to save energy and extend battery life of the detectiondevice.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section view of the detection device 201 thatmay have two or more sensors such as humidity sensors (804, 805), gassensors (802, 803), temperature sensors, wetness sensors, load or weightsensors, and force sensors that are separated by a layer such as awireless signal blocking layer and/or a printed circuit board layer. Oneset of sensors may face inside and towards the diaper, and may beconfigured to sense the concentration of gases, such as ammonia, methaneand other gases, inside the diaper and measure other parameters, such ashumidity, temperature, inside the diaper and the second set of sensorsmay face outside and away from the diaper, and may be configured tosense the concentration of gases, such as ammonia, methane and othergases, outside the diaper and measure other parameters, such ashumidity, temperature, outside the diaper. The detection device may beconfigured to send a wireless signal to a computer device when thedifference in concentration of gases measured between the inside andoutside gas sensors is greater than a configurable threshold or aconfigurable threshold percentage, such as a 5%, 10%, 1-5%, 2-5%, or5-10% increase, in a very short amount of time, such as in 5, 10, 15,30, 45, 60, 5-10, 15-30, or 30-60 seconds, and when the difference inhumidity measured between the inside and outside humidity sensors isgreater than a configurable threshold or a configurable thresholdpercentage, such as a 5%, 10%, 1-5%, 2-5%, or 5-10% increase or when therate of change of humidity increases above a configurable value or whenthe rate of change of the difference in humidity between the bottom andtop humidity sensors is above a configurable value in a very shortamount of time, such as in 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 5-10, 15-30, or 30-60seconds. Alternatively, in some example implementations, the detectiondevice may be configured to send a signal when the load or weight of thediaper increases by a configurable threshold amount, such as 0.05, 0.1,0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 ounces or more, or a configurable thresholdpercentage, such as 25%, in a very short amount of time, such as in 5,10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 5-10, 15-30, or 30-60 seconds. The thresholds may becentrally configured in the system and can be customized or localizedbased on the user's location. Additionally, the detection device mayhave Wi-Fi, Bluetooth low energy, Bluetooth, ZigBee, cellular datanetwork, GPS, Satellite or other wireless capabilities to send andreceive data. The two sets of sensors may be separated by a blockinglayer such as a wireless signal blocking layer to allow more accuratemeasurements and to minimize radiation exposure to the diaper wearer.The detection device 201 may have a microcontroller or microprocessor701 and battery 704.

In an alternate embodiment, where the detection device 201 may havemultiple sensors of the same type such as multiple humidity sensors, gassensors, temperature sensors, wetness sensors, load or weight sensors,and force sensors facing the inside of the diaper and may be configuredto sense the concentration of gases, such as ammonia, methane and othergases, inside the diaper and measure other parameters, such as humidity,temperature, inside the diaper and multiple humidity sensors, gassensors, temperature sensors, wetness sensors, load or weight sensors,and force sensors facing outside and away from the diaper, and that maybe configured to sense the concentration of gases, such as ammonia,methane and other gases, outside the diaper and measure otherparameters, such as humidity, temperature, outside the diaper. In someembodiments, multiple sensors of the same type may face each side, suchas the inside and/or outside, of the diaper.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the detection device 201 that hasbeen stuck on to or strapped on to the outside of the diaper 900. Thedetection device 201 may be stuck anywhere on the outside of the diaper900 or placed in proximity to the wearer or to the diaper 900.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of an elongated embodiment of thedetection device 1001 that has been stuck on to or strapped on to theoutside of the diaper 1000 along the front and back of the diaper. Theelongated embodiment may attach to the front, back, and bottom of thediaper and wrap underneath the bottom of the diaper 1000. The elongatedembodiment may be used for large diapers, such as adult diapers.

The various alternatives or combinations of the features shown ordescribed herein may be incorporated into other embodiments andpracticed and carried out in various ways which might be apparent tothose skilled in this field and once the information herein is reviewed.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting in any fashion.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A soiled diaper detection system for a diaper worn by a diaper wearer, the soiled diaper detection system comprising: a soiled diaper detection device with a vent and with two humidity sensors separated by a printed circuit board layer; wherein the humidity sensors are configured to measure humidity inside and outside of the diaper; one or more computer devices in communication with the soiled diaper detection device configured to generate requests to the soiled diaper detection device and process requests from the soiled diaper detection device, and store data received from the soiled diaper detection device; wherein the printed circuit board layer is configured to minimize radiation exposure to the diaper wearer; and wherein the soiled diaper detection device further comprises a learning-based system that uses humidity detection thresholds detected by the humidity sensors to adapt the soiled diaper detection device to the diaper wearer.
 2. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, wherein a first humidity sensor has a corresponding gas sensor configured to measure the rate of change of the difference in concentration of one or more gases.
 3. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, wherein each humidity sensor is configured to measure the rate of change of the difference in humidity between the inside and outside of the diaper.
 4. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 2, further comprising one or more additional sensors including at least one load or weight sensor or force sensor to measure the rate of change of the difference in weight of the diaper.
 5. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, further configured to send a signal when the rate of change of the difference in humidity between the inside and outside of the diaper exceeds a configurable value.
 6. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 2, further configured to send a signal when the rate of change of the difference in concentration of gases between the inside and outside of the diaper exceeds a configurable value.
 7. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 4, further configured to send a signal when the rate of change of the difference in weight of the diaper exceeds a configurable value within a minute.
 8. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, wherein-the learning-based system uses urination patterns to automatically adapt the soiled diaper detection device to the diaper wearer.
 9. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 2, further configured to send gas sensor output readings, humidity data and other data from one or more other sensors wirelessly to a hub.
 10. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, wherein the learning-based system automatically adapts the soiled diaper detection device based on the type of the diaper.
 11. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, wherein the soiled diaper detection device has circular vents on the top and bottom of the device.
 12. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, wherein the soiled diaper detection device connects wirelessly to a hub to send and receive humidity data and gas sensor readings.
 13. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, wherein the soiled diaper detection device goes along the front and back of the diaper.
 14. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, wherein the soiled diaper detection device has a removable and replaceable stick-on strap that keeps the top and bottom vents exposed.
 15. The soiled diaper detection system according to claim 1, wherein the soiled diaper detection device has a battery and a humidity sensor that is configured to measure the rate of change of humidity, gas sensor and Bluetooth module that are fabricated onto an adhesive that sticks onto the outside of the diaper. 